Stock pusher



Dec, 21, 1954 Filed April 26, 1954 F. H. SMITH STOCK PUSHER 2 Sheets-Sheet l FREDEHCK H. 6M1 TH,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 21, 1954 F. H. SMITH 2,697,634

STOCK PUSHER Filed April 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R E .J' /r//, F m ZWEWTOR.

ATTOENE X United States Patent STOCK PUSHER Frederick H. Smith, Dayton, Ohio Application April 26, 1954, SerialNo. 425,610

3 Claims. (Cl. 279-44) -The present invention relates to stock pushers and more particularly to the types of devices for advancing the stock used in automatic screw machines and the like.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a pusher device which is adapted to be used in advancing the stock in a positive manner, and with resilient means therein for preventing damage to the machine and the stock in the advancement of the stock therethrough.

A second object is the provision of a gripping means forming a part of the pusher device which prevents marring of the stock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pusher device which is adapted for use on high speed machines.

Further particular objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, and that which is new will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the pusher device embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail longitudinal section through the device, as taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a forward end elevation of the device, as taken from line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the gripper member of the device.

Figure 5 is an end view of the gripper member, as taken from line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the halves comprising the gripper member.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the member shown in Figure 6, as taken from line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional detail through the assembled device with the section being taken on line 88 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of a spring ring provided for interlocking the two halves of the gripper member.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the spring ring shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through the pusher device and showing a stock member extending therethrough.

Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through the pusher device similar to that shown in Figure 11 except with the same being shown in a position with relation to the stock member, and showing a condition which is likely to exist in the pushing operation after the stock has passed through the gripper member.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through the pusher device similar to Figures 11 and 12, but showing the approximate position of the gripper member in the housing after the end of the stock member has come against the stop of the machine.

Figure 14 is an end elevation of the coupling member showing the tool slots formed thereacross' for the reception of a tool in loosening the coupling.

Like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In order that the construction and the particular advantages of the invention may be more fully understood and appreciated, I will now take up a detailed descriptiortih thereof in which the same will be more fully set for Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 designates pushers.

2,697,634 Patented Dec, 21, 1954 .end thereof. A shoulder 4 is formed in the housing member forwardly of the threaded portion.

A gripper member, composed of two halves 5 and 6,

is located within the flangedend of the housing. Each of the halves 5 and 6 are identical and are formed by forming and boring a member and then splitting the member longitudinally, and with the portion removed by splitting the member to cause the assembly of the-halves to appear egg-shaped when assembled together, as more clearly shown in Figure 5. The halves are interlocked together by means of a pair of resilient split rings- 7, which are adapted to fit snugly into respective grooves 3 and 9 of the gripper member. The springs, being .positioned in the respective grooves, provide means permitting movement of the halves 5 and 6 away from each other, but restrict longitudinal movement of the halves with relation to each other. Each end of the assembled gripper is provided with a countersunk surface 10 to permit easy entry of the end of the stock thercinto without the necessity of providing a bevel on the entering end of each piece of the stock.

A compression spring 11 is loosely fitted in the housing 1, with one end thereof abutting and bearing against the rear end of the gripper. The opposite end of spring 11 is engaged by the forward end of externally-threaded coupling 12 which is threaded into the rear end 3 of the housing. Spring 11 acts as a shock absorber to the gripper when thestock being pushed strikes the stop on the machine (not shown) and thereby breaking the severe impact which is present in conventional type The opposite or rear end of coupling 12 is adapted to be threaded into the forward end 13 of a stock tube (shown in broken lines inFigures 11 and 12)).

The degree of pressure exerted on the gripper by the spring 11 may be controlled by the adjustment inwardly Operation In the assembly of the pusher device, the assembled gripper is inserted into the housing member 1 and seats against the flange 2 at the forward end thereof. The compression spring 11 is positioned in the housing with the forward end thereof bearing against the rear end of the gripper. The coupling 12 is threaded into the rear end of the housing 1 with the forward end of the coupling seating tightly against shoulder 4 of the housing. The rear end of the coupling is then threaded into the forward end 13 of a stock tube and with the engagement of the rear end of the housing and the forward end of the stock tube providing a means of locking the two members together. Should it be desired to adjust the compression of spring 11 against the gripper, the same may be loosened with relation to the shoulder 4 to the desired position and loading.

After the device has been assembled and threaded onto the forward end of the stock tube, stock 14 is pushed forwardly through the stock tube and through the gripper of the pusher, and with the forward end of the stock being pushed through a feed collet (not shown) until the forward end of the stock comes into contact with a stop forming a part of the machine (not shown). As the stock enters the rear end of the gripper, the gripper members 5 and 6 are spread apart by engagement of the stock with the beveled surface 10, and with the interlocking rings 7 providing a frictional fit of the halves 5 and 6 causing the stock to be gripped by the gripper.

In the operation of the machine, the feed collet (not shown) securely holds the stock while the forward end of the stock is being formed to the desired profile for the article being produced. While the feed collet is securely holding the stock, the pusher is returned to its rearward position. After the article is completed and cut from the stock, the feed collet releases from the stock and forward movement of the pusher carries the stock forwardly until the stock strikes the stop member. Upon the engagement of the end of the stock with the stop, the shock thereof is absorbed through the spring 11, as indicated in Figure 13. Should the travel of the pusher be greater than the travel of the stock, the gripper member then slides forwardly on the stock and thereby relieves the stress of the stock striking the stop. The shock absorbing action of spring 11 further prevents bouncing of the stock upon its impact against the stop. When the pusher has reached its most forwardly position, the feed collet then securely grips the stock, and the pusher is returned to its most rearward position ready for another cycle of operation.

Should the pusher move rearwardly sufficiently to clear the rear end of the stock, the next cycle of operation of the pusher will bring the pusher forwardly against the rear end of the stock. Should the rear end of the stock and the forward end of the gripper not be in perfect alignment, the forward movement of the pusher will create a relative position between the rear end of the stock and the forward end of the gripper as shown in Figure 12. With the pusher traveling forward and with the stock being free to move through the feed collet, the stock is pushed forwardly by its contact with the forward end of the gripper against the compression of spring 11. Should the forward end of the stock come against its stop before the pusher comes to its extreme forward position, the gripper is pushed rearwardly in its housing against the compression of spring 11 and with the spring taking or absorbing the shock or impact of the stock against the stop. Without the compression spring, the gripper member, if positioned solidly, would thrust the stock against the stop with an impact which would be likely to damage the stop or other parts of the machine.

When a new piece of stock is inserted through the stock tube and the pusher, the forward end of the stock is guided into the rear end of the gripper by the beveled surface 10. It will be noted that I have shown both ends of the gripper as having beveled surfaces in order that no special care will be required in assembling the gripper in the pusher.

It will be noted that the gripper member is a modification of the tool holder bushing shown in Patent No. 2,676,809, issued to me April 27, 1954. However, the application of the gripper, as shown and described herein, is not analogous in use to the device shown and described in said patent.

I desire that it be understood that the pusher is shown in its presently preferred form, but that I am not to be limited to the specific form and arrangement of the parts herein shown and described, but that minor changes may be made therein, insofar as the changes may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A stock pusher comprising in combination, a housing having an inwardly-directed flange formed on the forward end and with the rear end of the housing being internally threaded, a gripper located within the housing with its forward end bearing against the flange, a compression spring located within the housing and having its forward end bearing against the rear end of the gripper, a coupling threaded into the threaded rear end of the housing with the forward end of the coupling providing a seat for the rear end of the compression spring, and with the rear end portion of the coupling being adapted to be threaded into the forward end of a stock tube.

2. A stock pusher as set forth in claim 1, and with the compression spring providing a shock absorber for the rearward longitudinal movement of the gripper in the housing.

3. A stock pusher as set forth in claim I, and with the coupling member having tool-engaging slots formed across each end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,111,308 Baxendale Mar. 15, 1938 2,634,974 Chuy Apr. 14, 1953 2,676,809 Smith Apr. 27, 1954 

